Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylee Meares.
Kaylee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved playing dress-up—princesses, hair and makeup, putting on jewelry—you name it. I was definitely a prissy girl. But I was also very quiet. My parents used to call me a “hip rider” because I always had separation anxiety and wanted to be with a family member at all times.
As I got older, I slowly came out of my shell and became a bit more outgoing. I was introduced to dance by friends in elementary school, and it quickly became a passion of mine. I used to tell my dad—who’s a lifelong Cowboys fan—that I was going to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader one day. He and my mom always supported my love for dance, and I was lucky to have incredible mentors and teachers growing up in Durham, NC. Dance became the best outlet for me. It allowed me to let go of personal responsibilities and just be a kid.
School was never really something I enjoyed. I wasn’t passionate about it and would’ve much rather been dancing, or at the beach or pool with friends during the spring and summer—or spending holidays with family in the fall and winter.
While my parents didn’t force me or my siblings to get jobs, it was strongly encouraged. I honestly didn’t mind it. From a young age, I loved having my own income—whether it was making $7 an hour or pet-sitting for family friends while they were on vacation. It taught me responsibility, the importance of saving, and the value of earning what you have.
One of my very first “real” jobs was assisting a hair stylist—shampooing color out, folding towels, and helping her stay on schedule with her clients. But in truth, I grew up in a hair salon. My mom has been a stylist for over 30 years. I have vivid memories of sitting on the floor at her feet, coloring in my books, ignoring her warnings to put my shoes back on—until I got my first painful hair splinters. As I got older, I would do homework there after school, waiting for my dad to come pick me up. On weekends, I’d tag along to weddings and be her little assistant, handing her bobby pins and hairspray, thinking, “Wow, these brides are so pretty. Will I marry my prince charming one day?”
For a long time, I believed I might become a professional dancer. That was the dream. But a foot injury during my senior year changed everything. My dance career ended before it could truly begin, and I fell into a slump. I felt lost. Everyone around me seemed to know their path—going off to four-year colleges, getting into great programs, chasing their passions with confidence. I, on the other hand, was just trying to make my parents proud. I enrolled in a community college near the coast, more out of pressure than passion.
I was the youngest among my roommates, but I was also the first one to jump in and go. In hindsight, I spent too much time caught up in things that didn’t serve me. People said I was “living my best life,” but deep down, I wasn’t really moving forward. I was stuck, unsure of who I was or what I wanted.
Then came the wake-up call. I had dreams of going into the medical field, but when I found out that over 400 applicants applied for a spot and only 18 were accepted, something in me just… deflated. I dropped out. I didn’t believe I was one of the 18. I didn’t believe I was good enough.
I knew I had to figure something out—and fast. The life I was living wasn’t sustainable, and deep down, I knew I was meant for more.
As I mentioned before, I’d always loved dressing up and anything related to beauty. In the back of my mind, doing hair had always been a dream. So I made a decision: I was going to go to hair school.
I wrapped up my lease in Greenville, NC and kept my serving job for as long as I could. By the summer of 2017, I was back home. I told my parents I wanted to pursue cosmetology, and I think they were genuinely excited for me. It felt like I was finally stepping into something that made sense.
To save money, I moved in with my dad and picked up another serving job at a popular pizzeria in my hometown. I paid my way through hair school, balancing long days with long nights. While most of my friends were still out having fun, posting pictures, and living their college years to the fullest, I was starting my career—early, unsure, but motivated.
It wasn’t always easy. There were times I felt like I was missing out or falling behind. But I also knew I was building something real. I was learning, growing, and finally doing something that felt aligned with who I was and who I had always wanted to be.
I finally graduated from cosmetology school and landed my first job. I was nervous—starting something completely new, walking into a place where I didn’t know a soul. In school, I was always surrounded by people who shared the same interests. This felt different. I had no idea what the “hair world” would be like for me.
But it turns out—I absolutely love it. Everything about this job has helped me grow into the woman I am today. I have the hair industry and the people I’ve met along the way to thank for that.
I’ve experienced so many sides of this world: working in a commission-based salon, renting a booth, owning a salon (even if just for a short while), and now, finally, I feel like I’ve found the beginning of my forever. I’m constantly learning—not just how to be a better stylist, but how to run a business and be my own boss while still showing up as a leader and strong woman every day.
I truly believe everyone deserves to feel beautiful, and it’s my job to help make that happen. There’s nothing like the joy I feel when a client looks in the mirror and absolutely loves their transformation. That feeling lights me up. I genuinely love going to work—it’s where I get to express myself, have fun, and be creative.
The relationships I’ve built mean the world to me. Whether it’s a 5-year-old girl (who reminds me of a younger me) excited for her first hair appointment, or an older woman full of wisdom and life stories—I cherish the connections I make. And even when the connection isn’t quite there, I take pride in pointing someone to another stylist who’s a better fit. At the end of the day, I just want people to feel heard, cared for, and confident.
Some days, I’m the one telling stories and cracking jokes; other days, I’m just there to listen while someone vents or decompresses. Either way, it’s a good feeling knowing someone trusts me enough to let go and relax in my chair.
I’m incredibly proud of the woman, wife, and mother I’m becoming. Balancing work and home life isn’t always easy, but I’m lucky to have the love and support of my amazing husband and my sweet daughter. They keep me going and remind me why I do what I do.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely, I’ve had struggles along the way. When I first started in the industry, one of my biggest challenges was stepping into the unknown. I was nervous walking into my first salon job—not knowing anyone, not sure if I would fit in, and not fully confident yet in my skills. Up until then, I’d always been in school or surrounded by people who shared the same interests, so that shift was a little overwhelming at first.
Another struggle was figuring out where I belonged in the industry. I’ve worked in a commission-based salon, rented a booth, even owned a salon for a short time. Each stage came with its own learning curves—financial responsibility, self-motivation, leadership, client management—it’s a lot. And especially trying to juggle all of that while becoming a wife and mom? That work-life balance is still something I’m navigating.
But I’ve learned so much through it all. Every challenge along the way has shaped the stylist, wife, mom and businesswoman I am today. And even when things didn’t work out—like salon ownership—I walked away with knowledge and experience I wouldn’t trade. The beauty industry is always evolving, and I think learning to adapt, stay grounded, and keep growing through the hard parts is what makes this journey so rewarding.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I absolutely love working with a blank canvas—what we call “virgin hair.” There’s something so freeing and exciting about creating something completely new on hair that’s never been touched by color or bleach. One of my favorite techniques to do is balayage. I love the way it brings a natural, sun-kissed dimension to the hair while still making a big impact.
Most people know me by my name, Kaylee Meares—or just “KJ”—but in the hair world, I’m also known by my Instagram handle, @prettygirllox. That’s where I share my work, connect with clients, and showcase the styles that represent me as an artist.
Of course, I care about the hair—I love creating beautiful, lived-in color like balayage, and I take pride in my work. But beyond that, I focus on making every person in my chair feel comfortable, seen, and confident. Whether they’re a first-timer or someone who’s been with me for years, I make it a point to really listen and connect—not just about hair, but life too.
I also think my versatility sets me apart. I’ve worked in commission salons, rented booths, even owned a salon. So I understand both the creative and business side of this industry. That balance helps me keep growing as a stylist and as a professional.
At the end of the day, I don’t just want people to leave loving their hair—I want them to leave feeling better than when they walked in.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I really enjoy the Raleigh-Durham area—it has such a good balance of energy and charm. I love how there’s always something to do, whether it’s grabbing a latte at one of the many cute coffee shops, catching a Durham Bulls game, going to the State Fair, or just hanging out downtown at a fun pub or local event. There’s a strong sense of community here, and it’s easy to find little pockets of culture, creativity, and entertainment.
As far as dislikes, I wouldn’t say I have anything major—but like a lot of growing cities, traffic can definitely be a pain during peak hours, and sometimes things can feel a bit spread out. But overall, I really love living and working in this area—it has a little bit of everything!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @prettygirllox
